Colin Edwards

Colin Edwards II (born February 27, 1974) nicknamed the "Texas Tornado", is an American former professional motorcycle racer who retired half-way through the 2014 season, but continues in the sport as a factory test rider. He is a two-time World Superbike champion and competed in the MotoGP class from 2003 to 2014.

Colin Edwards
Edwards wearing NGM colours waving to spectators from an open-top car at the 2014 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas
NationalityAmerican
Born (1974-02-27) February 27, 1974
Conroe, Texas, United States
Websitewww.texastornadobootcamp.com
www.colinedwards5.com
Motorcycle racing career statistics
MotoGP World Championship
Active years20032014
ManufacturersAprilia (2003)
Honda (2004)
Yamaha (20052011)
Suter (2012)
FTR Kawasaki (2013)
Forward Yamaha (2014)
Championships0
2014 championship position22nd (11 pts)
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
196 0 12 3 3 1242
Superbike World Championship
Active years19952002
ManufacturersHonda, Yamaha
Championships2 (2000, 2002)
2002 championship position1st (552 pts)
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
175 31 75 15 23 2391.5

Early years

Edwards was born in Houston, Texas. At the age of three, his Australian father, Colin Edwards Sr. (an amateur motorcycle racer himself), introduced him to a minibike, and Edwards entered his first motocross race at the age of four. Over the next ten years, Edwards became one of the top-ranked junior motocross competitors in the US, winning dozens of races in the 50cc to 80cc categories in local, regional and national events.

In 1988 at the age of 14, Edwards stopped competing in motocross races, having become distracted by the normal demands of being a teenager. However, in 1990, Edwards and his father attended a motorcycle road race event in north Texas, and this inspired him to attempt road racing.

In 1991 Edwards began competing in amateur road-racing events locally, but rapidly progressed to national events. He was undefeated in every amateur event he entered that year, and won numerous national amateur titles. His performance was sufficiently impressive for him to be offered a sponsored ride with South West Motorsports, and Edwards turned professional just before the commencement of the 1992 season.

Career

In his first professional season (1992), Edwards entered the AMA 250cc National Series.[1] He won five of the nine races and the national title over second-place earner Kenny Roberts, Jr.. In 1993 and 1994 Edwards rode for Vance & Hines on a Yamaha in the AMA Superbike Championship, earning 6th and 5th place overall in those years.

Superbike World Championship

In 1995 Edwards was offered a factory position with Yamaha in the Superbike World Championship.[1] His results in 1995 were disappointing as Edwards struggled to adjust to the demands of competing in a global competition, and he missed the last two meetings after teammate Yasutomo Nagai perished in a crash at Assen. In 1996 he achieved a greatly improved sixth overall in the Superbike World championship.

1997 was a disappointing year for Edwards as he was forced to withdraw from competing due to injuries sustained in the fifth round of the Superbike World Championship. He was replaced in the Yamaha World Superbike Team and was unable to negotiate a position in the 500cc Grand Prix competition. Fortunately Edwards was able to conclude a deal with Honda to ride the RC45 motorcycle in the 1998 Superbike World Championship. Edwards finished fifth overall that year, and earned his first solo international victories with a double win at Monza followed by his 3rd win of the season at Brands Hatch.

In 1999, Edwards managed several more victories for Honda (including leading teammate Aaron Slight home twice at Brands Hatch, giving Honda a rare Double-1-2) and ended the season in second overall position, behind champion Carl Fogarty. In 2000, Edwards rode the new Honda VTR-1000 SP1/RC51 twin cylinder motorcycle to overall victory in the Superbike World Championship after Yamaha rider and points leader, Noriyuki Haga was disqualified for testing positive for a banned substance. Edwards came second to Ducati rider, Troy Bayliss in 2001 but reclaimed the title from Bayliss in 2002 in a dramatic fashion, clinching the championship in the final race of the season in Imola (Italy).[1] Edwards also holds the record for the most points in a single season with 552 points in 2002 breaking the previous record of 489 points set by Carl Fogarty in 1999. Runner-up Troy Bayliss also broke the previous record with 541 points.

MotoGP World Championship

After winning his 2nd Superbike World Championship Edwards moved to MotoGP in 2003. He rode for the greatly troubled Aprilia team on the RS Cube, and his only notable accomplishment in that otherwise dismal year was avoiding serious injury when his machine caught fire due to an incorrectly fitted fuel cap at Sachsenring. Yet Edwards, known in all motorcycle paddocks as a great bike tester, tried to no avail to help lift the struggling team.

2004 saw Edwards riding for Telefonica Movistar Honda, and he achieved his first MotoGP podium position at Donington.[1] Edwards finished the season in fifth overall position.

In 2005, Edwards moved to Gauloises Yamaha factory team as the teammate to the world champion Valentino Rossi.[1] His best result for 2005 was a second position at Laguna Seca, behind compatriot Nicky Hayden. He finished the season fourth overall.

2006

For 2006 Colin Edwards continued riding for the Camel Yamaha factory team on board the YZR-M1 with teammate and good friend Valentino Rossi in the MotoGP championship. The factory Yamaha team had a troubling start to their racing year with "chatter" problems and tire wear issues.

The factory team built a new chassis for the 2006 spec YZR-M1 to combat the aforementioned problems. Rossi took to the new chassis quickly and rode to victory at his home race of Mugello for the fifth consecutive time since 2001. Edwards did not have the time to "gel" with the new chassis early in the season, which resulted in him sticking with the older version for the Mugello race. He finished 12th.

At Assen he took the lead at the start, and led until Nicky Hayden passed him on the penultimate lap. He caught back up to his countryman on the last lap, and managed to pass him a few corners from the end. When Hayden attempted to pass him again in the final chicane, Edwards ran across the AstroTurf and lost control of his bike, which briefly continued on without him. He remounted to finish 13th. Hayden, who ran across the gravel on the final chicane himself, managed to keep control of his bike and won the race.[1] At his home race, the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, Edwards finished ninth suffering tire problems in the scorching heat like his teammate Valentino Rossi. At Estoril he qualified second and finished fourth in one of his most competitive showings of the season.

2007

2007 brought great prospects early on. Colin entered his second of a two-year deal with Yamaha factory team, now known as Fiat Yamaha riding the new Yamaha YZR-M1 800cc. Yet after starting second on the grid in Istanbul, a first lap crash caused by Olivier Jacque took him out. At Le Mans Colin took pole position, but made a slow start and gambled on switching to wet tyres in damp conditions. He did this too early, and by the time it was wet enough his tyres had shredded, forcing him to pit again and finish at the back of the field.

Fiat Yamaha was having problems with the M1 and the Michelin tires, Edwards along with teammate Valentino Rossi both struggled to find competitive set up nearly the entire season to run up front.[1] Edwards best result of the season was 2nd (equaling his career best in MotoGP) at the wet British Grand Prix at Donington Park.

2008

For the 2008 season, Colin Edwards continued in MotoGP, this time for the satellite Tech 3 Yamaha team alongside fellow Superbike World Champion James Toseland. A series of solid performances left him 5th in the overall standings after nine rounds, never qualifying lower than 6th on the grid and finishing on the podium twice. After qualifying 6th for round 9 at Assen, he was delayed by Rossi's early crash and was in next to last place at the end of the first lap (in front of only Rossi, who was able to rejoin the race), however he then fought back to snatch 3rd from Nicky Hayden at the final corner after Hayden ran out of fuel, gaining a measure of revenge for the 2006 race at the track.[2] Colin Edwards results started to suffer after a crash in Germany.[3] In the next four races Edwards failed to break the top ten and his best result since the podium at Assen was a sixth place at the final round of the season at Valencia.[4]

Edwards confirmed that he had signed for Tech 3 for yet another season. "It is no secret that I had agreed with Yamaha to finish my MotoGP career at the end of 2008 and continue my racing career with them in America, but as soon as I began working with the Tech 3 team I instantly formed a great relationship with my guys."[5] Therefore, Edwards will once again be riding for Tech 3 Yamaha in 2009 as he searches for his first MotoGP victory.

2009

Edwards at the 2009 Dutch TT.

Edwards once again demonstrated consistent form in the 2009 MotoGP season, establishing himself as the strongest satellite rider in the championship. He secured a second-place finish in the British Grand Prix at Donington Park.

After being caught in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix, Edwards directed typically outspoken criticism towards Alex de Angelis, claiming: "We are in Italy and occasionally you have to deal with an Italian rider who wants to be a hero and today that was De Angelis. De Angelis is the guy who needed to be wearing Valentino’s donkey helmet," in reference to a special edition helmet being worn by Valentino Rossi.[6]

2010

On October 1, 2009 Edwards announced that he had signed a one-year contract extension that would see him ride for Tech 3 Yamaha in the 2010 season. His teammate will be fellow American Ben Spies.[7]

2011

Colin Edwards in 2011

On September 19, 2010, Edwards signed a one-year contract extension to ride for Tech 3 Yamaha in the 2011 season, partnering Cal Crutchlow.[8]

At the Catalan Grand Prix, Edwards broke his right collarbone during second practice, which successfully had a plate added.[9][10] Nine days later, and in his first race since injury, Edwards took a third-place finish at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, having been promoted to a podium placing after accidents for Jorge Lorenzo and Marco Simoncelli. It was his first podium finish since a second-place result at the 2009 British Grand Prix at Donington Park.[11]

On October 23, along with Valentino Rossi, Edwards was involved in the accident that killed Marco Simoncelli at the Malaysian Grand Prix, injuring his left shoulder and ending his season. Josh Hayes replaced him for Valencia.[12]

2012

On September 3, 2011, Edwards announced that he would leave the Tech 3 team, to ride as the single entry for NGM Mobile Forward Racing in 2012.[13] The team was making their re-entry to the premier class under the new Claiming Rule Teams regulations with a Suter chassis powered by a BMW engine.

2013

Remaining with Forward Racing for 2013, Edwards was partnered with rookie Claudio Corti on FTR-Kawasaki machinery.

2014

Edwards again remained with Forward Racing for 2014, this time partnering Aleix Espargaró on Yamaha-based machines. At a press conference prior to the 2014 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas, Edwards announced that the 2014 season will be his final MotoGP season, citing the struggle to adapt to a different riding style.[14] It was stated after the Indianapolis round, that he would not compete in the second half of the season, and was replaced by Alex de Angelis. During commentary for the British MotoGP round at Silverstone on August 31, 2014, Edwards revealed he will be a test rider for Yamaha and Michelin for the next two years.

Suzuka 8 Hours

In 1996, Edwards teamed with Noriyuki Haga to claim victory in the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race riding a Yamaha, his first international victory. Edwards won the 8 Hours two more times: in 2001 with Valentino Rossi, and in 2002 with the late Daijiro Kato, both times with Honda.

Other racing activities

Edwards has twice represented the United States in the Michelin Race of Champions Nation's Cup, first in 2000 and again in 2002 when the US team won the event. The competition involves a national team that includes an automobile racer, a rally/off-road driver and a motorcycle racer. The 2002 US team included former off-road racer and NASCAR rookie Jimmie Johnson as the rally driver, and four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon in the automobile category.

Broadcasting

Following the end of his racing career, Edwards joined British MotoGP broadcaster BT Sport in 2016 as a pundit in their pre- and post-race programming.

Texas Tornado Boot Camp

The Colin Edwards Texas Tornado Boot Camp or TTBC is a world class motorcycle training facility built on a 20-acre (81,000 m2) plot of land near Lake Conroe. It is a premier training facility for those new to riding, motorcycle enthusiasts, as well as professionals looking to polish up on their skills. TTBC offers a wide range of moto training and events including 1&2 day camps, private camps, Dirt Wars, racers camps and The Colin Edwards 4 day Experience. The "Colin Edwards Experience" is a 4-day camp with Edwards himself involved in the training, including time on the 500yard gun range.

Training facilities

TTBC includes a 0.125 mi (0.201 km) dirt oval, covered TT track with lights for night riding, open TT track, 500-yard gun range, Mini Bike MX Track, and a 5,000-square-foot (460 m2) bunk house and classroom facility.

The Facilities as of August 1, 2010

Career statistics

By season

Season Motorcycle Team Race Win Podium Pole FLap Pts Plcd WCh
1995 Yamaha Yamaha World Superbike Team 20 0 2 0 1 141 11th  
1996 Yamaha Yamaha World Superbike Team 20 0 7 2 0 248 5th  
1997 Yamaha Yamaha World Superbike Team 8 0 1 0 1 79 12th  
1998 Honda Castrol Honda 24 3 6 0 0 277.5 5th  
1999 Honda Castrol Honda 26 5 10 2 3 361 2nd  
2000 Honda Castrol Honda 26 8 12 6 6 400 1st 1
2001 Honda Castrol Honda 25 4 12 0 4 333 2nd  
2002 Honda Castrol Honda 26 11 25 5 8 552 1st 1
Total 175 31 75 15 23 2391.5 2

Races by year

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Bike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Pos Pts
R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2
1995 Yamaha GER
7
GER
5
SMR
Ret
SMR
Ret
GBR
18
GBR
12
ITA
3
ITA
5
ESP
10
ESP
11
AUT
9
AUT
Ret
USA
8
USA
9
GBR
5
GBR
2
JPN
6
JPN
10
NED
Ret
NED
6
INA INA AUS AUS 11th 141
1996 Yamaha SMR
11
SMR
7
GBR
6
GBR
4
GER
3
GER
5
ITA
3
ITA
5
CZE
6
CZE
7
USA
4
USA
Ret
GBR
4
GBR
3
INA
5
INA
4
JPN JPN NED NED ESP
2
ESP
3
AUS
2
AUS
3
5th 248
1997 Yamaha AUS
Ret
AUS
2
SMR
6
SMR
8
GBR
5
GBR
6
GER
7
GER
5
ITA ITA USA USA GBR GBR AUT AUT NED NED ESP ESP JPN JPN INA INA 12th 79
1998 Honda AUS
7
AUS
7
GBR
6
GBR
7
ITA
1
ITA
1
ESP
5
ESP
Ret
GER
2
GER
2
SMR
3
SMR
4
RSA
9
RSA
4
USA
11
USA
10
GBR
1
GBR
4
AUT
7
AUT
9
NED
5
NED
4
JPN
13
JPN
13
5th 279.5
1999 Honda RSA
5
RSA
4
AUS
3
AUS
3
GBR
3
GBR
1
ESP
Ret
ESP
1
ITA
2
ITA
2
GER
Ret
GER
4
SMR
6
SMR
7
USA
4
USA
5
GBR
1
GBR
1
AUT
1
AUT
8
NED
5
NED
5
GER
4
GER
5
JPN
9
JPN
9
2nd 361
2000 Honda RSA
1
RSA
1
AUS
5
AUS
5
JPN
5
JPN
3
GBR
1
GBR
Ret
ITA
2
ITA
1
GER
4
GER
2
SMR
Ret
SMR
10
ESP
5
ESP
4
USA
2
USA
4
GBR
10
GBR
6
NED
1
NED
5
GER
1
GER
1
GBR
8
GBR
1
1st 400
2001 Honda ESP
6
ESP
4
RSA
1
RSA
Ret
AUS
1
AUS
C
JPN
12
JPN
13
ITA
2
ITA
2
GBR
5
GBR
6
GER
1
GER
3
SMR
3
SMR
11
USA
6
USA
6
GBR
3
GBR
5
GER
1
GER
2
NED
3
NED
10
ITA
3
ITA
Ret
2nd 333
2002 Honda ESP
4
ESP
3
AUS
2
AUS
2
RSA
2
RSA
3
JPN
1
JPN
2
ITA
3
ITA
2
GBR
1
GBR
2
GER
2
GER
2
SMR
2
SMR
2
USA
3
USA
1
GBR
1
GBR
1
GER
1
GER
1
NED
1
NED
1
ITA
1
ITA
1
1st 552

By season

Season Class Motorcycle Team Race Win Podium Pole FLap Pts Plcd WCh
2003 MotoGP Aprilia RS Cube Alice Aprilia Racing 16 0 0 0 0 62 13th  
2004 MotoGP Honda RC211V Telefonica Movistar Honda 16 0 2 0 2 157 5th  
2005 MotoGP Yamaha YZR-M1 Gauloises Yamaha Team 17 0 3 0 1 179 4th  
2006 MotoGP Yamaha YZR-M1 Camel Yamaha Team 17 0 1 0 0 124 7th  
2007 MotoGP Yamaha YZR-M1 Fiat Yamaha Team 18 0 2 2 0 124 9th  
2008 MotoGP Yamaha YZR-M1 Tech 3 Yamaha 18 0 2 1 0 144 7th  
2009 MotoGP Yamaha YZR-M1 Monster Yamaha Tech 3 17 0 1 0 0 161 5th  
2010 MotoGP Yamaha YZR-M1 Monster Yamaha Tech 3 18 0 0 0 0 103 11th  
2011 MotoGP Yamaha YZR-M1 Monster Yamaha Tech 3 15 0 1 0 0 109 9th  
2012 MotoGP Suter MMX1 NGM Mobile Forward Racing 16 0 0 0 0 27 20th  
2013 MotoGP FTR Kawasaki NGM Mobile Forward Racing 18 0 0 0 0 41 14th  
2014 MotoGP Forward Yamaha NGM Forward Racing 10 0 0 0 0 11 22nd  
Total 196 0 12 3 3 1242 0

By class

Class Seasons 1st GP 1st Pod 1st Win Race Win Podiums Pole FLap Pts WChmp
MotoGP 2003–2014 2003 Japan 2004 Great Britain 196 0 12 3 3 1242 0
Total 2003–2014 196 0 12 3 3 1242 0

Races by year

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Class Bike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Pos Pts
2003 MotoGP Aprilia JPN
6
RSA
Ret
SPA
14
FRA
10
ITA
9
CAT
Ret
NED
7
GBR
10
GER
14
CZE
12
POR
14
BRA
13
PAC
17
MAL
13
AUS
16
VAL
8
13th 62
2004 MotoGP Honda RSA
7
SPA
7
FRA
5
ITA
12
CAT
5
NED
6
BRA
6
GER
5
GBR
2
CZE
7
POR
9
JPN
Ret
QAT
2
MAL
11
AUS
4
VAL
8
5th 157
2005 MotoGP Yamaha SPA
9
POR
6
CHN
8
FRA
3
ITA
9
CAT
7
NED
3
USA
2
GBR
4
GER
8
CZE
7
JPN
6
MAL
10
QAT
4
AUS
6
TUR
7
VAL
8
4th 179
2006 MotoGP Yamaha SPA
11
QAT
9
TUR
9
CHN
3
FRA
6
ITA
12
CAT
5
NED
13
GBR
6
GER
12
USA
9
CZE
10
MAL
10
AUS
Ret
JPN
8
POR
4
VAL
9
7th 124
2007 MotoGP Yamaha QAT
6
SPA
3
TUR
Ret
CHN
11
FRA
12
ITA
12
CAT
10
GBR
2
NED
6
GER
4
USA
11
CZE
Ret
RSM
9
POR
10
JPN
14
AUS
9
MAL
10
VAL
13
9th 124
2008 MotoGP Yamaha QAT
7
SPA
Ret
POR
4
CHN
7
FRA
3
ITA
5
CAT
5
GBR
4
NED
3
GER
Ret
USA
14
CZE
14
RSM
10
IND
15
JPN
7
AUS
8
MAL
8
VAL
6
7th 144
2009 MotoGP Yamaha QAT
4
JPN
12
SPA
7
FRA
7
ITA
6
CAT
7
NED
4
USA
7
GER
9
GBR
2
CZE
7
IND
5
RSM
Ret
POR
5
AUS
5
MAL
13
VAL
4
5th 161
2010 MotoGP Yamaha QAT
8
SPA
12
FRA
12
ITA
13
GBR
9
NED
8
CAT
11
GER
Ret
USA
7
CZE
7
IND
Ret
RSM
7
ARA
12
JPN
5
MAL
NC
AUS
7
POR
7
VAL
12
11th 103
2011 MotoGP Yamaha QAT
8
SPA
Ret
POR
6
FRA
13
CAT
DNS
GBR
3
NED
7
ITA
9
GER
10
USA
8
CZE
8
IND
7
RSM
13
ARA
13
JPN
8
AUS
5
MAL
C
VAL 9th 109
2012 MotoGP Suter QAT
12
SPA
16
POR
DNS
FRA CAT
NC
GBR
16
NED
Ret
GER
12
ITA
Ret
USA
13
IND
13
CZE
13
RSM
11
ARA
18
JPN
13
MAL
Ret
AUS
Ret
VAL
14
20th 27
2013 MotoGP FTR Kawasaki QAT
Ret
AME
Ret
SPA
15
FRA
16
ITA
14
CAT
9
NED
17
GER
13
USA
12
IND
13
CZE
11
GBR
14
RSM
12
ARA
16
MAL
15
AUS
12
JPN
12
VAL
15
14th 41
2014 MotoGP Forward Yamaha QAT
9
AME
Ret
ARG
20
SPA
Ret
FRA
17
ITA
15
CAT
18
NED
22
GER
20
IND
13
CZE GBR RSM ARA JPN AUS MAL VAL 22nd 11

References

  1. Motorcycle-USA Staff. Colin Edwards Bio Archived April 9, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Motorcycle-USA.com. Retrieved on 2009-06-19.
  2. Waheed, Adam. MotoGP 2008 Assen Results Archived March 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Motorcycle-USA.com. Retrieved on 2009-06-19.
  3. Madson, Bart. MotoGP 2008 Sachsenring Results Archived March 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Motorcycle-USA.com. Retrieved on 2009-06-19.
  4. Madson, Bart. MotoGP 2008 Valencia Results Archived March 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Motorcycle-USA.com. Retrieved on 2009-06-19.
  5. Colin Edwards signs for 2009
  6. "Edwards and Hayden slam "stupid" De Angelis". Insidebikes. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  7. "Spies move spells end for Toseland". Insidebikes. Archived from the original on October 4, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  8. "Tech 3 confirm Edwards for 2011". motogp.com. Dorna Sports. September 19, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2010.
  9. "Edwards injured in Catalunya". MotoGP.com. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  10. "Edwards injury plated during successful surgery". Crash.net. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  11. Young, Colin (June 12, 2011). "Heroic Edwards Beats The Odds". SpeedTV.com. Speed. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  12. "Josh Hayes Will Race MotoGP in Place of Injured Edwards at Valencia". Roadracing World. Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. October 28, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
  13. "Colin Edwards confirms he will leave Tech 3 team at end of the season". BBC Sport. BBC. September 2, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  14. Young, Colin (April 10, 2014). "MOTOGP: COLIN EDWARDS TO RETIRE". Foxsports.com. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Aaron Slight (1993–95)
Tadayuki Okada (1995)
Suzuka 8 Hours Winner
1996 (with Noriyuki Haga)
Succeeded by
Tohru Ukawa (1997–98)
Shinichi Itoh (1997–98)
Preceded by
Tohru Ukawa
Daijiro Kato
Suzuka 8 Hours Winner
1996 (with Noriyuki Haga),
2001 (with Valentino Rossi),
2002 (with Daijiro Kato)
Succeeded by
Yukio Nukumi
Manabu Kamada
Preceded by
Fernando Alonso
Jesús Puras
Rubén Xaus
Race of Champions
Nations' Cup

2002 with:
Jeff Gordon
Jimmie Johnson
Succeeded by
Cristiano da Matta
Fonsi Nieto
Gilles Panizzi
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